The Highway of Life.

I listen to the hum, the soft purr, of the engine. I listen to the stereo blare its sonic styling. The heater billows its kinetic comfort. I feel the power, the speed, underneath my palms. I feel serene as man and machine merge as one. Worry melts away. I reach the top of the bridge, and the view fills me with wonderment, ambition to become a part of the city’s living, breathing self.

I love driving. Alone. When I’m with others, I prefer to be the passenger. As a passenger I’m the DJ, the conversationalist. I like that. But when I’m alone with the road, I just love to drive. It’s a great time to listen to music, think, and reflect. I think about what I’m excited about, and pure excited energy compels me to put my foot to the pedal, pushing me towards my destination. I think about frustrations, and I personify the road as an adversary, I punish it with the wheels and steel of my vessel.

I feel life mirrors the highway sometimes. You have your companions, your fellow passengers, along with you on the ride at times. Other times you’re on a journey alone. Others zoom by; others trail as you leave them behind. There’s the courteous, the selfish, and those that are just so full of rage. Some easily let you into their lane; they understand we are all neighbors. Others selfishly hold a death grip upon their lane, they don’t understand how the Highway of Life has many exits, many destinations, and it isn’t a race, because there are speeders and there’s the leisurely, and they all eventually make it somewhere.

I feel sometimes like I’m speeding towards a destination, gunning it towards my destiny. Other times it feels like I hit every red light possible. Everything gets in the way. But it is important to not get too agitated, don’t be a victim of your own rage and impatience. Sometimes the ride is the best part of the whole journey.

So I cross this bridge once again, the good old Hoan Bridge. I ascend it at a racing pace, I feel the wind doing battle with vehicle, but my vehicle continues to hold its ground, prevail. I look out at the lake, and think how beautiful it really is, despite all the pollutants that lurk within.

I arrive at the top of the bridge, under those yellow arches, and see the lights of life that make the city, a beacon of beauty. I think about all the lives contained within it, how everyone is always headed towards something, and how I too want to be a part of that.

At this, my foot slams down.

Pedal to the Metal, Baby.